Since Cruise Critic was extremely helpful to me in planning this trip, I wanted to write a review in the hopes of helping others. On this cruise was DH & I (in our early 40s) my 2 boys (16 & 14) and my step-daughter (14). DH & I had an E2 balcony, and our kids had connection PRs across the hall. This was our 3rd cruise, 2nd on RCI (Explorer) and 1 on Carnival (Miracle). I booked this cruise in January, and received a few price drops over the beginning months, however we were unable to take advantage of all the great price drops during the last 2 weeks prior to the cruise because of the configuration of cabins that we needed. I was also able to cash in 125,000 VISA points for a free OV cabin and paid for a balcony upgrade. Then last minute I was able to cash in 15,000 points for $150 of OBC.

Saturday - 11/21 - We flew from JFK to MIA via American Airlines. JFK is my LEAST favorite airport, and I try to avoid it at ALL COSTS, however it was the one with the best flight times home and it was the cheapest. We used Avistar long-term parking, and have never had a problem with them. Our 10:30am flight was uneventful, and we arrived in Miami a little after 1pm safe & sound. We stayed at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay hotel, and while the hotel was fine for the one night, I probably wouldn't stay here again. Originally we had plans to go to South Beach for dinner but wound up at Bayside Marketplace. Both the Holiday Inn and InterContinental are within walking distance to Bayside, and I wish we had stayed at either one of these places.

Sunday - 11/22 - We were up early and went to find some breakfast. The front desk tried to steer us to Marriott's "cafe" but we wanted something more than bagels. When I asked if there was anything else in the area, I was told nothing opened until after 9am. When we walked next door we found a restaurant and a deli that both opened at 7am. The deli had the same food as the restaurant, but it was "take-out" and there were tables right outside. We arrived at the pier at 10:30, filled out all the forms, checked-in, stood in a line, then sat in a room, then stood in another line, were in group number 3, and were on the ship by 11:30. Now here is where I think Bayonne has Miami beat. In Bayonne, after you check-in you go to a very large warehouse room with tables and chairs to wait. We were able to sit, relax, eat cookies & drink lemonade while waiting for our number to be called. In Miami we checked-in, then stood in a long line waiting, then we were lead into a room with rows of chairs surrounding the perimeter of the room. No tables, nothing to eat or drink, just sat in rows while we waited. Then we were brought out of the room and then lined up to go thru a check point and THEN we got on the ship. While it was all painless, I think Bayonne handles it better. Read more